Nthomeni Ndou

Biography

Ndou Nthomeni Dorah has submitted her Ph.D thesis for examination in April 2014 at the age of 53 years from Venda University Limpopo province South Africa. She is a lecturer of Advanced Nursing science, facilitating diploma in general nursing science and degree in nursing education. She has supervised five research students at Masters degree. She has presented two papers at international conferences and two nationally. She has published six papers in various accredited journals nationally and internationally.

Abstract

The AIDS epidemic is a global crisis, and constitutes one of the most serious challenges to development and social progress in Southern Africa. The AIDS epidemic is eroding decades of development gains, undermining economies, threatening security and destabilizing society. Professional nurses providing care to patients diagnosed with AIDS related illnesses are identified as a risk group in terms of contracting HIV. They sometimes feel stressed when carrying out their basic tasks of promoting, preventing and maintaining the health of individuals, families and the public. The purpose of the study was to develop a model for supporting professional nurses caring for patients with AIDS related illnesses at Steve Biko hospital, Tshwane district in Gauteng province. Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative research designs were used to explore the challenges and support experienced by professional nurses when caring for patients who are admitted at the hospital with AIDS related illnesses. Triangulation design was further used to determine the support provided by the nurse managers to the professional nurses caring for patients diagnosed with AIDS related illnesses. The population consist of all professional nurses and nurse managers working at Steve Biko academic hospital caring for patients diagnosed with AIDS related illnesses. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the research. A non-probability sampling method was used to determine the sample of the study. The sample size of those who were interviewed was determined by data saturation. In-depth individual interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guide. A checklist was used to collect quantitative data from the nurses’ personnel records. Records of professional nurses who gave consent to participate in this study, allocated in the units where patients diagnosed with AIDS related illnesses are admitted, were checked for and leave patterns and absenteeism patterns in order to find out if caring for these patients has got an impact on the daily staff turnover. Trustworthiness, reliability and validity were ensured. Qualitatively, data was analysed by using open coding method. Quantitatively, leave and absenteeism patterns depicted on the checklist were analysed using graphs and Pie charts to complement qualitative research findings. The major concept "effective support" was identified, followed by model development for supporting professional nurses.